Experiencing Saudi Arabia

Culture

Saudi Arabian culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam. Islam's two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, are located in the country. Five times every day, Muslims are called to prayer from the minarets of mosques which are scattered around the country. The weekend consists of Thursday and Friday. The public practice of any religion other than Islam, including Christianity and Judaism, the presence of churches, and possession of non-Islamic religious materials is not allowed except in Aramco coumpounds in which many expatriates attend church services.

One of Saudi Arabia's most compelling folk rituals is the Al Ardha, the country's national dance. This sword dance is based on ancient Bedouin traditions: drummers beat out a rhythm and a poet chants verses while sword-carrying men dance shoulder to shoulder. Al-sihba folk music, from the Hijaz, has its origins in al-Andalus. In Mecca, Medina and Jeddah, dance and song incorporate the sound of the mizmar, an oboe-like woodwind instrument. The drum is also an important instrument according to traditional and tribal customs.

Saudi Arabian dress follows strictly the principles of hijab (the Islamic principle of modesty, especially in dress) The predominantly loose and flowing but covering garments reflect the country's large desert country. Traditionally, men usually wear an ankle-length shirt woven from wool or cotton (known as a thawb), with a keffiyeh (a large checkered square of cotton held in place by a cord coil) or a ghutra (a plain white square made of finer cotton, also held in place by a cord coil) worn on the head. For rare chilly days, Saudi men wear a camel-hair cloak (bisht) over the top. Women's clothes are decorated with tribal motifs, coins, sequins, metallic thread, and appliques. However, Saudi women must wear a long cloak (abaya) and veil (niqâb) when they leave the house to protect their modesty. The law does not apply to foreigners to such a high degree, but both men and women are told to dress and act modestly. Saudi women are also forbidden by law from driving.

Islamic dietary laws forbid the eating of pork and the drinking of alcohol, and this law is enforced strictly throughout Saudi Arabia. Arabic unleavened bread, or khobz, is eaten with almost all meals. Other staples include lamb, grilled chicken, falafel (deep-fried chickpea balls), shawarma (spit-cooked sliced lamb), and Ful medames (a paste of fava beans, garlic and lemon). Traditional coffeehouses used to be ubiquitous, but are now being displaced by food-hall style cafes. Arabic tea is also a famous custom, which is used in both casual and formal meetings between friends, family and even strangers. The tea is black (without milk) and has herbal flavoring that comes in many variations.

Public theatres and cinemas are prohibited, as Wahhabi tradition deems those institutions to be incompatible with Islam. However, in private compounds such as Dhahran and Ras Tanura public theaters can be found, but often are more popular for local music, arts, and theatre productions rather than the exhibition of motion pictures. Recently, plans for some cinemas that will be allowed to feature Arabic cartoons for women and children were announced [citation needed]. DVDs of western movies are legal and widely available and IMAX theatres are also legal. The cultural heritage is celebrated at the annual Jenadriyah cultural festival.

Business Customs

Modern Saudi Arabia has adopted many of the business methods and styles of the West, but differences remain. Most important is that business will generally only be conducted after a degree of trust and familiarity has been established. Considerable time may be spent exchanging courtesies, and several visits may be needed to establish a business relationship. Business visitors should arrange their itineraries to allow for long meetings, as traditional Saudis often maintain an "open office" in which they will sign papers, take telephone calls, and converse with friends or colleagues who drop by. Tea and traditional Saudi coffee are usually offered. One to three cups of Saudi coffee should be taken for politeness, after which the cup should be wiggled between thumb and forefinger when returning it to the server to indicate that you have finished.

Many Saudi businessmen have been educated or have traveled extensively in the West and are sophisticated in dealing with Americans. For the most part travelers can rely on the usual Western manners and standards of politeness to see them through, with a few additional rules that may be observed. One should avoid sitting at any time with the sole of the foot pointed at the host or other guest. Unless one is on familiar terms with a Saudi, it may be discourteous to ask about a man's wife or daughters; ask instead about his family. Shoes are often removed before entering a Saudi Majlis (living room). If you are invited to the home of a Saudi for a party or reception, a meal is normally served at the end of the evening, and guests will not linger long after finishing. Customs and manners differ, so be observant and adapt your behavior to that of your host.

Dress is conservative for both men and women. Men should not wear shorts or tank tops, while women are advised to wear loose-fitting and concealing clothing with long skirts, elbow-length sleeves, and modest necklines. There is strict gender separation in the Kingdom and restaurants maintain separate sections for single men and families. Wives are often excluded from social gatherings or are entertained separately.

Travel Advisory

The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports that suggest terrorist action against U.S. interests in Saudi Arabia remains a possibility. Because of continuing security concerns, the U.S. Embassy, Consulates General, and the U.S. military elements throughout the country routinely review their security postures and make improvements wherever possible to lessen their vulnerabilities. The Embassy strongly encourages all Americans resident in Saudi Arabia to likewise take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness and lessen their vulnerability.

In addition, the State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or Consulate in the subject country.

Americans traveling to Saudi Arabia for a short period of time are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulates and to obtain the most current security information. This process can be done before departing the U.S. through the Internet Based Registration System (IBRS).

Americans who expect to spend more time visiting Saudi Arabia or who are resident in Saudi Arabia are encouraged to register through the IBRS and to subscribe to the American Embassy warden system to receive the latest Warden Messages and Travel Warnings. The Warden system will inform the resident American community of current security matters.

Visa Requirements

Saudi visas in passports valid for at least six months are required for entry. Visas can be obtained for business and work, to visit close relatives, for religious visits, and lately for tourism. Most visas are single entry and allow for a maximum six-month stay, however, the Saudi Government has recently started granting multiple-entry business visas, but the process is still done on an ad hoc basis. Visas are not available upon arrival at ports of entry yet, but the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reviewing the process of granting business visas at ports of entry for OECD nationals. In the meantime, and in order to obtain a visitor's visa for business purposes, each U.S. company representative must have a letter of invitation from a sponsoring entity in Saudi Arabia. This letter must be in Arabic, the U.S. applicant may present a copy of the original letter, the letter must be on sponsoring company letterhead, and must bear an authenticating stamp of the local Saudi Chamber of Commerce.

The letter should name the visa applicant, passport number, company name and address, approximate dates of visit, and reason for visit (e.g. business meetings). It is recommended that the U.S. applicant's company use the company's letterhead when requesting the Saudi Embassy's/Consulates' cooperation in issuing the visa. The visa applicant must apply for and receive the visa prior to departing the United States at either the Saudi Embassy in Washington or at Saudi Consulates in Houston, Los Angeles, or New York City. Once the visa is stamped on the passport, it is usually valid for one month, and must be used or officially canceled before a subsequent visa
will be issued. The visa may be extended at the discretion of the Saudi Embassy or Consulate prior to the expiration date. If the U.S. applicant does not have a Saudi sponsor, the U.S. Commercial Service offices in Saudi Arabia also can advise on how to make initial contacts with potential sponsors. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General cannot sponsor private American citizens for Saudi visas.

Occasionally, the Saudi consular officer may require the applicant to obtain the visa through a more time-consuming process involving approval by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Women traveling alone, Americans of Arab origin, and private consultants are often required to use this process. Resident visas also are available through a separate process.

Visitors to Saudi Arabia generally obtain a meningitis vaccination prior to arrival, especially during the annual pilgrimage rituals. A medical report, including an AIDS test, is required to obtain a work and residence permit. This includes a medical certification. For further information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC, or one of the Consulates in New York, Houston, or Los Angeles.

There is an airport departure fee of Sr. 50 ($13.30) per traveler. Members of airline crews, infants (under the age of 2), and passengers in transit less than 24 hours are exempt from paying this fee. The fee is payable to the travel agent through which the ticket is booked.

U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should allow sufficient time for visa issuance if required. Visa applicants should go to the following links.

State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/

Telecommunications

Telecommunication services in Saudi Arabia remain one of the most active sectors in Saudi Arabia. Since its privatization in 1998, Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC) has been carrying out major telecommunications projects kingdom-wide, gradually taking over this role from the Ministry of Post, Telephone and Telegraph (PTT).

A cellular phone system based on the GSM standard is highly popular, while radiophones are restricted. In 2001, a royal decree was issued permitting for a wireless network to be set up in Saudi Arabia. Nextel Sprint provided the technology and Motorola is providing the equipment. The system is known as the Push To Talk (PTT). The project is on a BOT basis for a 15-year time frame. Internet service is available free of charge, however, the connection speed is very slow and the dial-up service is chargeable at the regular telephone billing system. DSL service is available for an average monthly fee of $200.

The Communications and Information Technology Commission has awarded the second public mobile license to United Telecom Group, Ettesalat (UAE consortium) that includes five Saudi partners. A third GSM license is still pending. Furthermore, CITC also granted two licenses to local companies to provide data services. The latest figures reveal that Saudi Arabia has more than 4 million landlines, close to 19 million mobile GSM subscribers, four VSAT providers, and more than two million (Dial-up) Internet users, and 250,000 DSL subscribers. The Kingdom has direct dial access to more than 152 countries. There are various prepaid phone cards and prepaid Internet cards for temporary visitors to Saudi Arabia. Major hotels have either in-room Internet access or in-house access.

Transportation

The business centers of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam/Al-Khobar/Dhahran have international airports served by a variety of international airlines. Air travel is preferred for domestic travel with public service restricted to three airlines, the national carrier, Saudi Arabian Airlines, and two new private, low-cost airlines, Sama and NAS Air. Saudi Arabia has a good highway system and rental cars and taxis/limousines are available at all airports; driving is U.S.-style, on the right. One rail line carries passengers and freight between Dammam and Riyadh. Jeddah and Dammam are the main international seaports for moving containerized and bulk cargo, while Jeddah seaport has a passenger terminal as well. The Saudi Government plans to build more than 3,800 Km of new railway lines. The most important one is the Saudi Land Bridge line, which will link Jeddah to Dammam through Riyadh, another will stretch from Qurayyat in the North to Riyadh in the South, passing through Hail and Buraydah. Other rail projects include the Makkah-Jeddah-Medina project, which will mainly transport pilgrims and religious visitors; while another electric, elevated monorail is also been planned for Medina to facilitate pilgrims’ transfer among the religious sites at the city. Last, the Riyadh Development Authority is planning two elevated metro system, which will link Northern and Southern Riyadh, and another will connect Western with Eastern parts of the city. Four-door sedans rent monthly for approximately $960, and yearly for about $11,500. A new GMC Suburban can be purchased for approximately $30,373.

Language

The official language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic, but English is widely used in business and some signs and notices. Most road signs are in Arabic, while major highways and streets display road signs in both Arabic and English.

Health

The quality of health care is variable, ranging from excellent to poor depending on the region, hospital, and specialty. Most Western expatriates find it adequate for routine care and minor surgery. In recent years, however, medical care has evolved in Saudi Arabia with all sorts of sophisticated treatments, such as open-heart surgery, kidney transplants and cancer treatment, being undertaken. Only a few drugs available in the U.S. are not available in Saudi Arabia. Many local hospitals and healthcare companies are vying to tie up with U.S. healthcare providers. In 2005, the Cleveland Clinic set up a joint venture medical center in Jeddah, the International Medical Center, which will work on several joint initiatives including E-Health, Teleconferencing, Consultations and Continuing Education programs.

The latest World Health Organization data reveal that Saudi Arabia’s per capita health expenditures stood at $578 in 2003, while total healthcare expenditures represent close to three percent of GDP at current prices in 2007. A yellow fever certificate is required from travelers coming from infected countries. A Meningitis vaccine is also required from incoming travelers, especially during the annual Pilgrimage ritual. There is a Malaria risk throughout the year in most of the Southern Region and in certain rural areas of the Western Region, except for Mecca and Medina.

Business Hours & Holidays

Saudi Arabia’s time zone is GMT+03:00. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country that requires strict adherence to Islamic principles. Five times a day Muslims are obliged to pray in the direction of the holy city, Mecca. The prayer times are published in the newspaper and come at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. Stores and restaurants close for approximately one-half hour at these times. When staging promotional events or product demonstrations, one must anticipate these prayer breaks.

Business hours vary in different parts of the country. Saudi companies usually close for two hours in the afternoon and remain open throughout the early evening. Retail stores close for the noon prayer and reopen around 4:00 P.M. The normal workweek runs from Saturday through Wednesday, with many companies also working a half or full day on Thursday. Friday is the Muslim holiday.  The traditional work week is as follows:

• U.S. Embassy: 08:00 - 17:00 Sat. thru Wed.
• Government: 08:00 - 14:30 Sat. thru Wed.
• Banks: 09:00 - 17:00 Sat. thru Wed.
• Businesses: 08:00 - 12:00 and 16:00 - 20:00 Sat. thru Wed. 08:00 - 13:00 Thursdays.

There are two Islamic religious holidays during which most businesses close for at least three working days and all Government offices close for a longer period. During these holidays, it is very difficult to make contacts or transact business. The Eid al-Fitr holiday occurs at the end of the holy month of Ramadan (month of fasting). Eid al-Adha celebrates the time of year when pilgrims arrive from around the world to perform the Hajj. Their timing is governed by the Islamic lunar calendar. The next Eid al-Fitr holiday will begin on or about October 13, 2007 and the next Eid al-Adha holiday on or about December 19, 2007. The Saudi national day is celebrated September 23.

Business travel to Saudi Arabia during the holy month of Ramadan is best avoided. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours. Office hours are shortened and shifted to the evening, and people may be affected by the fasting and customary late night social gatherings. During Ramadan business travelers should not drink, eat, or smoke in public during daylight or in the presence of fasting Muslims. Hotels offer special daytime food services for their non-Muslim guests. Ramadan will start on or about September 13, 2007 and end on or about October 12, 2007.

Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings

For temporary entry of goods for promotional purposes, importers need an invoice with the value of the goods endorsed by the local Chamber of Commerce or the U.S.-Saudi Business Council, and a certificate of origin also to be authenticated by one of the afore-mentioned entities. The invoice should state that the goods are being imported for exhibition purposes only and will be re-exported. Saudi Customs requires a deposit for these goods (equivalent to the applicable tariff rate on the total value of the goods). This deposit is refundable when the exhibition is over and upon showing a document that the owner of the equipment officially participated in a trade show. Additionally, the customs authorities will collect handling charges. Reimbursement takes between two to four weeks. If the goods are meant for demonstration purposes to a Government entity, a letter from that entity is required indicating the nature and purpose of the goods.